The 17th Southeast Asia Network Forum, subtitled "Developing Asian Humanities and Technology for the Future", was held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 11 February 2023. Launched in 2015, the forum is held in ASEAN countries by Kyoto University and local alumni with the aim of sharing the University's latest academic achievements relating to topics of local interest with communities throughout the region.
The 17th edition of the forum was hosted by the Kyoto University ASEAN Center and the Kyoto Union Club (KUC) in collaboration with King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thai-Nichi Institute of Technology (TNI), Kyoto University Bangkok Alumni (Thai Hyakumanben Kai), the Kyoto University Graduate School of Agriculture, and the Kyoto University Research Administration Center (KURA). Over one-hundred people attended, including local government officials, academics, students, and members of the general public.
The forum opened with remarks from Professor Anchaleeporn W Lothongkum, president of the KUC, and Professor Yasuyuki Kono, Kyoto University's vice-president for international strategy. Following the opening speeches, Kyoto University's International Education and Student Mobility Division introduced the student exchange programs and support available for international students at the University. After that, a lecture titled "The History of Kyoto University's Activities in ASEAN, Focusing on Forest Science" was delivered by Professor Emeritus Mamoru Kanzaki of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Agriculture.
Two panel discussions were then held on the theme of "Developing Asian Humanities and Technology for the Future". The first considered the topic from the perspective of the humanities and social sciences. The panelists consisted of Professor Motoki Akitsu, vice-dean of Kyoto University's Graduate School of Agriculture, Mr Suwanchai Lohawatanakul, director of the Thailand Productivity Institute, Dr Ngo Tung Duc, senior lecturer at Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry, and Dr Lim Boon Hock, principal of Lao-Japan School.
The second panel discussion was held in the afternoon, and focused on the same theme, but from the perspective of the natural sciences and technology. The panelists for the second session were Professor Fuyuki Ishikawa, vice president of Kyoto University and director of KURA, Dr Thevarak Rochanapruk, associate judge at the Central Intellectual Property and International Trade Court of Thailand, and Dr Thatheva Saphangthong, deputy director general of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos.
The forum was then closed with an address by Professor Anchaleeporn W Lothongkum. After the forum, a closed meeting was held to discuss collaboration and exchange between Kyoto University and its alumni in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Laos, as well as the further development of overseas alumni association activities, and the location of next year's forum.
